Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 482,187?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 4821873 x 16072997 x 4971291 x 1657
Negative: -1 x -482187-3 x -160729-97 x -4971-291 x -1657


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 482,187?

Unfortunately, there's not simple formula to identifying all of the factors of a number and it can be a tedious process when trying to identify the divisors of larger numbers. To find the factor combinations of the number 482,187, it is easier to work with a table - it's called factoring from the outside in.

Outside in Factoring

We start by creating a table and writing 1 on the left side and then the number we're trying to find the factors for on the right side in a table. Then, below that, write the numbers as a negative as well.

1 482,187
-1 -482,187

Why are the negative numbers included?

When you multiply two negative numbers together, you get a positive number. That means both the positive and negative numbers are factors of 482,187.

Example:
1 x 482,187 = 482,187
and
-1 x -482,187 = 482,187
Notice both answers equal 482,187

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 482,187 and divide it by 2:

482,187 ÷ 2 = 241,093.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 241,093.5 are factors. In this case, the quotient is not a whole number. Don't write anything down and try the next divisor.

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 482,187
-1 -482,187

Now, we try dividing 482,187 by 3:

482,187 ÷ 3 = 160,729

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 160,729 are factors. In this case, the quotient is a whole number. Write them in the table inside the other two factors like the below example. Don't forget to write the negative numbers too!

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 3 160,729 482,187
-1 -3 -160,729 -482,187

Let's try dividing by 4:

482,187 ÷ 4 = 120,546.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 120,546.75 are factors. In this case, the quotient is not a whole number. Don't write anything down and try the next divisor.

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 3 160,729 482,187
-1 -3 -160,729 482,187
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

If you did it right, you will end up with this table:

13972911,6574,971160,729482,187
-1-3-97-291-1,657-4,971-160,729-482,187

More Examples

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